284 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



found in Europe ; the former having canine teeth only in the 

 upper jaw, whilst the latter have them in both upper and 

 lower. 



The subject of these remarks — OtoUthus regalis — is a fish 

 of great beauty as regards its colors and proportions. The 

 tints are difficult to describe ; there is something of a green 

 tint with carnate gloamings above and along the lateral line, 

 pearly or bright metallic reflections about the throat and 

 head, and irregular dusky markings, inclining to the forma- 

 tion of oblique lines, on the back and sides ; the belly is 

 white ; head sharp and long ; mouth large, upper jaw armed 

 with long, sharp, recurved teeth. Form elliptical, slightly 

 compressed ; back somewhat arched. Fins ; first dorsal, nine 

 spines; second, one short spine and thirty rays; pectorals, 

 sixteen ; ventrals, one spine and five rays ; anal, one spine 

 and thirteen rays ; the caudal has seventeen rays, and is very 

 slightly convex. 



Weakfishing. — No salt-water fish of this latitude affords 

 more sport than this big-mouthed denizen of our bays ; and 

 it is only the freedom with which he takes the bait, and the 

 great numbers that are caught, that causes Weakfishing to be 

 undervalued. Though he has not the strength and endurance 

 of the Eockfish, his first rush is not less vigorous ; and as his 

 mouth is somewhat tender, it is necessary to give a fish of 

 two pounds some line. His first dash is from the boat, and 

 ten yards of line will be run out in a "jiffy ;" he fights well 

 and at long range if you allow him line, but bear well on 

 him, as the least slacking of the line gives him a chance to 

 disengage the hook, which he sometimes attempts to do by 

 jumping above the water and shaking his head. 



If angling with a float it should not be at more than three- 

 fourths the depth of the water. With a large float, and a 

 quarter or half ounce bullet for a sinker, you may allow your 



